REGION: San Diego sports icon Bob Breitbard dies at 91

SAN DIEGO ---- Bob Breitbard, who owned the NBA's San Diego
Rockets and was a high school classmate and close friend of Ted
Williams, died of natural causes Monday morning. He was 91.

Breitbard established the Breitbard Athletic Foundation in 1946
to honor local athletes, and it became the Hall of Champions. His
death was confirmed by the museum.

Breitbard owned the San Diego Rockets from their expansion
season of 1967-68 until he sold them in 1971 to Texas businessmen
who moved the team to Houston.

He was among the local businessmen who helped move the Chargers
to San Diego, established the San Diego Padres as a major league
franchise and started the Holiday Bowl.

Breitbard attended Hoover High School with Williams, and played
football for the Cardinals and at San Diego State University. He
returned to coach the Aztecs and help re-establish the football
program after World War II.

Breitbard was the president of California Linen Supply, which
laundered towels and bedding for the burgeoning local hotel
industry. He also served on the board of Sharp Hospital and the
President's Circle of the Salk Institute.